PRIME Minister's wife Cherie Blair compared a new state of the art pre-school children's centre to a Butlins holiday camp.

PRIME Minister's wife Cherie Blair compared a new state of the art pre-school children's centre to a Butlins holiday camp.

She was opening the new children's centre at Pheasey Park Farm school in Great Barr.

She said it was appropriate that the centre was run by Barbara Butlin and added: "When I was a child Butlins was a great place where we had fun and children and their families could be together. And here at Pheasey Park Farm Mrs Butlin's place is just the same.''

Mrs Blair cut the ribbon to open the new timber-clad building and chatted with staff and parents as she toured the site.

She also spent time with a group of toddlers on the playground as they ran up and down a slide.

She said: "As a mother and a working parent myself I understand that we have got to get the issue of child care right and get our children on the right track. Centres like these are the future.

''I wish that when my three elder children were little that we had had facilities like this.

''It is important we invest in children's centres and good quality child care.''

The new centre in Wimperis Way offers facilities and support for up to 450 families on the Pheasey estate. Facilities include child care nursery, health services, base for local childminders and a family support service.

Head Teacher Rhoda Poyser said: "Many people have been involved in the development of our children's centre but I would particularly like to say thanks to Barbara Butlin and her staff.''